Yon de Luisa, president of the Mexican Football Federation (FMF), and Mikel Arriola, president of Liga MX, presented this Tuesday A series of measures “Following up on the commitment derived from the results of 2022 and with the aim of strengthening the FMF sports project towards the 2026 World Cup”.
De Luisa recognized that what she experienced in 2022 “made it clear to us that we have many areas of opportunity to seek straighten the sports project of the FMF towards this extraordinary opportunity that we have as co-organizers of the 2026 World Cup”.
Below we leave you minute by minute with the highlights of the FMF press conference.
12:35 | The press conference of Yon de Luisa, president of the FMF, and Mikel Arriola, president of Liga MX, ends.
Matas Almeyda was a possibility for the selection
12:33 | “Mr. Almeyda does meet the profile. Among the many scenarios that were reviewed from day zero was him, but it must be recognized that a couple of weeks ago he signed a contract extension and at that moment he was no longer in the possible universe of candidates”, says Yon de Luisa.
“Gerardo Martino always saw how to help Mexican soccer improve”
12:30 | Yon de Luisa talks about Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino: “We received the report from Gerardo Martino, which was a report consistent with the many talks we had in his administration. Within his work capacity, he was always looking at how to help Mexican soccer improve. What we saw of how the number of foreigners dropped was agreed upon in an Owners Assembly after a presentation by Martino of how the number of foreigners was directly affecting the national teams.”
Do the Mexican teams return to the Copa Libertadores?
12:05 | After confirming the return to the Copa América 2024, Yon de Luisa is questioned about the possibility that the Mexican teams return to the Copa Libertadores. In this regard, the president of the FMF said:
“It is a matter between Concacaf and Conmebol, today we have this great news (Copa Amrica), first the selection part had to be opened, today that key was opened. The possibility has a second degree of complexity due to the calendars of the two confederations and the leagues themselves.If you were not in this agreement presented, It is not something that can be seen in the short term, both the MX League and the FMF will continue to search the best possible competitions for our teams and clubs. It is an issue that we will continue to put on the table for discussions, but in the short term, due to calendar issues, this feasibility is not seen.”
Yon de Luisa: “I would not see an interim technician”
11:50 | Yon de Luisa assures that next week there will be news regarding the technician: “There is no specific date, we hope it will be soon. I would tell you that We could expect that sometime in the next week but here what matters is the quality of the decision, not so much the time, understanding that we are also in a hurry with time so we have to work between now and the March games”.
“I would not see an interim technician, I believe that there is a lot at stake for the right decision to be made at once and for this working group that reaches the men’s national teams to begin working immediately on what will be the commitment in Suriname, as well as that of Mexico against Jamaica”.
Who will be the new coach of the Mexican team?
11:40 | “It is a space that I leave for Mr. Rodrigo Ares. The National Selection Committee has been in session for several days, with truly periodic and consistent meetings, looking for this best choice. Not only seeing the responsibilities immediately but with this vision towards 2026. It is with this sense that the carefully the selection process of our next technical director”, These are the words of Yon de Luisa, president of the FMF.
11:34 | Arriola recognizes that there are two exit barriers for Mexican players: the cards and high salaries compared to Europe; the community passport.
It is sought that the European authorities grant the community passport to the Mexican player two years after starting activities in Europe.
11:30 | This is how the new format of the Liga MX tournament will work:
- Long championship that complements the two short tournaments with Liguilla. The second tournament of the year will begin with the points accumulated by each club.
- Look for other sports incentives to reward teams that favor basic forces, Mexican players and their export to Europe.
- Ensure the standardization of the conditions of the courts and the ball according to World Cup specifications.
11:17 | Takes the floor Mikel Arriola, president of Liga MX. A ‘Package of Structural Reforms to Mexican Soccer’ is announced, clarifying that it will have to be approved in the Assembly of the League in the next month of May.
Among the measures that will be considered are:
- The elimination of the repechage from the Apertura 2023 tournament.
- The reduction of foreigners to 7 per team, starting in the 2023/24 season.
- Regarding promotion and relegation, “a working group will be formed to build the best way to enhance the sports results of Expansion in the face of the real economic conditions that this Division presents, and it will be presented in May of this year as a comprehensive solution.” .
- Eliminate timeshare by 2026.
- A long championship with two Liguillas, to recognize the best team of the year and to seek more stable processes in the clubs.
- Joint strategy with the clubs and the FMF to increase the export of young people abroad.
11:15 | It is also confirmed the return of Mexico to the competitions of South America. In 2024 there will be a place for the Copa América, through the Concacaf Nations League.
11:11 | In turn, the National Teams Committee be conformed by Amaury Vergara, Alejandro Irraragorri, Emilio Azcrraga, Ernesto Tinajero, Jorgealberto Hank and the president of the FMF. This Committee has the objective of promoting the sports project of both men’s and women’s national teams.
11:10 | As expected, it is revealed that Rodrigo Ares de Parga will assume the Executive Direction of national teams. He will be responsible for the sports project of all the national teams and will report to the national team committee.
Similarly Andrea Rodebaugh and Jaime Ordiales are ratified as managers of women’s and men’s national teams, respectively.
11:07 | Yon de Luisa acknowledges the areas for improvement:
- Strengthen local competition, eliminating playoffs and resuming promotion and relegation.
- Promote the export of players to Europe, reviewing strategies of both clubs and players, seeking support from Liga MX and FMF.
- Additional slots for Mexican players, reducing the number of players not trained in Mexico, without affecting the quality of Liga MX.
- Technical and managerial bodies that promote communication and a healthy relationship within each team.
- Seek to improve the quality of international matches, both friendly and competitive.
- Avoid excessive isolation of the selection.
- Everyone assume their own responsibility to be able to improve as an industry.
11:05 | Yon de Luisa begins with analysis and self-criticism. They are looking for a coaching staff that knows the Mexican player in depth, as well as avoiding speculating on decisive matches.
11:00 | The press conference begins with Yon de Luisa, president of the FMF, and Mikel Arriola, president of Liga MX: “The reality is that with what we are living in 2022 it made it clear to us that we have many areas to seek to straighten out the sports project of the FMF towards this extraordinary opportunity that we have as co-organizers of the 2026 World Cup”, says de Luisa.
It was last November 30 that The Mexican soccer team signed its worst World Cup participation from Argentina 1978. More than two months after the elimination of the Tricolor in the group stage of Qatar 2022, the Federacin Mexicana de Ftbol is ready to present changes in Mexican football.
This Tuesday, January 31, 2023 at 11:00 a.m., the highest soccer body in Mexico will hold a press conference to announce some modifications and raise the project towards the 2026 World Cup.
This is how the FMF has announced the theme of this Tuesday’s conference: “Following up on the commitment derived from the results of 2022 and with the aim of strengthening the FMF sports project towards the 2026 World Cup”.
Among the changes that could be announced are:
- Presentation of Rodrigo Ares de Parga
- Minor teams coordinator?
- CONMEBOL-CONCACAF Alliance
- Friendly match vs Germany
- plan for the lost generation
- Efforts Liga MX, reduction of foreigners